Cloth laying machine



Oct. 8, 1940. M BRr-:TH

CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 8, 1940. M BRETH 2,217,096

I A CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1939 l s sheets-sheet 2 4 r "Il INVENTOR MAX/MH /4/V BPFTH 1%. #fard ORNEY oct. 8, 1940. M BRETH CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1l, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 63 lNvl-:NToR n Mx/MM /A/v Bef BY Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES- PATENT oFF-ICE l 2,217,096v CLOTH LAYING MACHINE Maximilian Breth, Ozone Park, N. Y. Application JanuaryV 1 1, 1939, serial Ng. 250,375

- Claims.

from a roll or bolt of cloth rotatably supported on said carriage, onto the table.

Heretofore, the table on which the carriage reciprocates has been provided with a longitudinal rail, engaging guide means on the carriage, so that the carriage will not roll ofi the table as it reciprocates; and the carriage has been made adjustable in width to accommodate cloths of different widths, Cloth laying apparatus in which the rail means is eliminated has also been known, but in such apparatus the carriage was of fixed width, being provided with means to engage the opposite side edges .of the table to prevent the carriage from rollingr oll4 while. re- 20 ciprocating. Such carriages cannot be adjusted for laying cloths of different width. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus of the character described, having means to adjust the distance between the side frame of the carriage to accommodate various Widths of cloth, and also having means to prevent the carriage from rolling oi the table, without the need for a rail on the table, or guide means on the carriage to engage such a rail.

A further object of this invention is to provide in cloth laying apparatus of the character de-` scribed, including a carriage carrying a bolt orroll of cloth, and reciprocable on acloth laying table, means on the carriage adapted to be pushed to the right or left for moving the carriage 'to the right or left, respectively; means controlled by the rst means to prevent the carriage from rolling o .i the cloth laying table, and means to prevent the roll or bolt of cloth thereonirom unwinding unless said last means is moved one way. or the other, so that if said rst means is in its normal central position and thev carriage is stationary, the cloth cannot unwind, means being further provided to prevent `the carriage from moving on the table unless said rst means is pushed one way or the other to ensure againsty the carriage accidentally rolling off the table.

In cloth laying machines in which a carriage reciprocates on a table to unwind cloth from a roll or bolt of cloth on the carriage ontothe'table as the carriage is reciprocated, diliculty has been experienced in the cloth laying operation because of `air trapped beneath the inclined portion of the cloth extending from the roll or bolt downto the flat, laid portion of the cloth, the air often/ preventing the eleth, fre-m. beine laid flat and. sneeetlt-A I-t is. therefore a further eleceet ef this; investies. te `elevieise this dieultr by prev-Mine means.` te Curve Seid. Dertien, et` the eleth.. whereby te. molte. readily expel; the air beneath` seid.. pet-tien 5Y that the cloth may be laid smoothly. l 1t. lies. been tened, that es. the el th. ie. laid en the table. ,upon reeipreeetine the. Carriage. the.. layers of cloth do not always register exactly, one` with the .ethela it is. therefore e, 'still' futttlefr.61e-V 1o;

ject of this ipventipritq provide aqjustme spaties, guide means adapted to be placed on the table. at spaced distances, in the path of movement of the. carriage, to insure the cloth being laid in substan-` tially perfectlyregistering layers. y Still another object of this invention is t,o proy vide a strong, rugged and durable machine ofthe, character described, which shall be relatively.'in'-` expensive to manufacture, easy to assembleand manipulate, and which shall yet be practical and 2()` efficient to a high degree in use. d"

Other objects of this invention will in vpart be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out. The invention accordingly consistsfin the. fear,-` tures of construction, combinations ofl elements, 25 and arrangement of parts which willV be exem# plied in the construction hereinafter describelLy and of which the scope of application will be,l indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanyingy drawings, in which is 3QY shown various possible 'illustrativeembodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a cloth ing machine embodying the invention;-

Fig. 21s an. enelv elevational view thereet; Fie. 3 is across-Sectional view take-.ri 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. l` is a cross-,sectional view taken on line 1 -.4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on 5,`-5 of 1ig. 1;`

. Fig. 6 is` aw cross-.sectional view taken on 6,--6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is Va cross-sectional View taken on line, '1 1 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a crossfsectional view taken, on line 8-8 of Fig. l; Fig. 9y is` a side view of oneV end of the. shaft for" supporting the roll ofcloth, with partsv in crosse.A section; 5p.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a guide member for the layers` of cloth, embodyinga modified cone, struction;` and I Fig. 1-1'is a View similar to Fig.` 9, showing the'.

with an extension thereon. 5.5i.

3.5.. en line lille 4.o.

line

ff f 2,217,096

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I designates a table on which cloth is to be laid, and I I designates a cloth laying machine mounted on the table for reciprocation to lay cloth from a bolt I2 in layers I3 on said table.

The machine II comprises a pair of parallel, aligned, vertical frames I4 and I5 of substantially A-shape. The frame I5 has downwardly and outwardly inclined legs I6, carrying wheels I1 at their lower ends contacting the upper surface of the table I0., At the apex of the legs I6 is an upward extension I1a formed with a semicylindrical notch I8, for the purpose hereinafterv appearing. Rotatably mounted on said projection I1a is a wheel I9 slightly overlapping notch The frame I4 has a pair of downwardly and outwardly extending legs 20, 'and' an interconnecting horizontal portion 2l. At the apex of the frame I4 is an upwardlyextending frame portion 22'formed with a semi-cylindrical notch 23, similar to and aligned with notch I8. Rotatably` mounted on `said projection 22 is a wheel 24, aligned with wheel I9, and overlapping notch 23 25. tofa somewhatg'reater extent than the overlap of wheel I9 with notch'I8.-

Within` the notches 23 and I8 is a horizontal shaft'. -One end of the shaft 80 rests on the wheel I9. At the'forward end of the shaft 80 is 305 a circular groove 8l, receiving the wheel 24. `This,

with a screw threaded opening, at 8Ia. Attached to the outer end of shaft 8D is a tip member 82, having a reduced screw threaded stem 83, screwed within the opening 8Ia., When it is desired to Alengthen the shaft 80, member 82 is unscrewed.

There is` then screwed to member 80 an extension rod 80a, having at one end, a reduced screw threaded stem.8 4, similar to the stem 83, and screwed within'thescrewlthreaded opening 8Ia.

, The vrod 80a` is furthermore Iformed at its other end, ,with a screw vthreaded opening 85a similar to the screw threaded opening 8Ia,I and member 82 .may be attached to the outer end of rod 80a by screwing the stem 83 thereof into the screw Y threaded opening 85a. On .the shaft l8l) are a pair of longitudinally adjustable hub members 80h, supporting the roll of clothIZ. Y, l

' Adjustable means is provided tointerconnect the iframes I4-andI 5, permitting the distance between said frames to be varied. ATo this end,

thereis fixed to each o f the legs I6 of frame I5, vertically aligned studs 85. Receiving each stud isone end of a horizontal transversetube 86,'xed to said stud'in any suitable' manner. Fixed in any. suitable mannerwithin the forward' ends of the tubes 86 vare internally screw threaded membersl.

Fixed to each o f the legs 20 of frame I4 are a pair of housing members 88,'each provided with arwall 89 contacting the inner surfaceof one of the legs., 20,"and awall 89a.parallel to wall 89, and provided with a stud 95, alignedwith one of the studs 85. 'Ihe walls 89 89a and stud 95 .of

.r each member 88 Aare 'formed with aligned through 7lV openings 89h, and 4 iourn'alled in said through openings is an elongated rod 90, having a screw threaded portion 8| engaging the threads of the internally screw threaded member 81.

Telescoping with each of the tubular members 86 is a tubular member 96, one end whereof receives one of the studs 95, and is fixed thereto in any suitable manner. Fixed to each of the rods 90, and disposed between the walls 89, 89a of each housing 88, is a sprocket wheel 92. The sprocket wheels 92 are interconnected by a sprocket chain 93. One of the rods 9U projects forwardly of a frame leg 20, and xed to the forwardly extendj ing portion of said rod, is a handle 98.

It will now be understood that upon rotating the handle 98, rods will be rotated in the same direction causing longitudinal movement between the telescoping tubes 86 and 96 to regulate the distance between frames I4, and I5, whereby rolls or bolts of cloth of different widths may be accommodated on shaft 80.

Extending downwardly from the lower ends of the legs 20 are vertical aligned portions 25 formed with similar rectangular openings 26, and with screw threaded openings 21 below said rectangular openings. Fixed within each opening 26 is a member 28 having parallel, horizontal walls 29 passing through and contacting the upper and lower edge of saidvopening. The walls 29 are interconnected by a flat, vertical front wall 30 contacting the front surface of wall 25 of the frame leg. Ihe walls 29'pass rearwardly beyond the frame andl are formed with aligned openings 32 and 33. The --lower opening 33 is screw threaded, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. The front wall 30 of member-28 has an opening between the topand bottom walls 29 so as to provide a horizontal opening or passage 35, through the member 28.

Thefront wall 30 of each member 28 is formed with an opening 40, registering with opening 21. Extending through the-,openings 40 and 21 is a screw 4I to x a member 28 to each wall 25 of the frame legs 20.

Extending through each opening 35 is a horizontal shaft 36 having a vertical through opening 31, registering with the openings 32 and 33. Extending through the registering openings 32, 31 and 33, and'screwed `to the openings 33 is a vertical pin`38 on which the shaft 36 is swivelled for angular movement about a vertical axis and in a horizontal plane. vMounted on the rear end of each shaft 36 is a wheel 39 similar to the wheels I1, contacting the top of the table I0.

`Fixed l,to the lowerend of each frame wall 25, is a `member 42. Each member 42 has a vertical wall 43 contacting the rear surface of the lower end of frame wall 25, and is formed with a screw threaded opening 46 receiving the rear end of the screw 4I, for attaching said member to said frame wall. Each member 42 has a wall 48 contactingl the underedge of the portion 45, and is furthermore formed with a downwardly projecting curved, part-cylindrical wall 50. Each member 42 is furthermore formed with a screw threaded opening 52, concentric with the partcylindrical wall 50, and screwed to said opening is a downwardlyv extending pin 54 supporting a ball bearing roller 55 contacting one vertical edge 51 of the table I0.

l'nterconnecting the forward ends of the shafts 36 vis a link 60, having horizontal slots 6I at its outer ends to receive said shafts. The shafts may be yconnected to the links by vertical swivel pins 62, as shown'in Figs. land 8'of the drawing.

It will now be understood that upon moving the link 60 to the right, the shafts 36 will be turned about the pins 38Vto move the wheels 39 into planes inclined to the longitudinal edge 51 of the table I0, so that upon pushing the carriage to the right, the rollers 55 will be retained in contact with the edge 51 of the table to prevent the carriage from running off the table.

Upon moving the link to the left, the shafts 36 are swivelled about the vertical pins 38 in an opposite direction, to incline the wheels 39 in the opposite direction relative to the longitudinal edge 51 of the table, so that upon moving the carriage to the left, the rollers 55 will again be caused to press against the edge of the table, and hence prevent the carriage from rolling off the table.

Means is provided for moving the link B to the right when the carriage is moved to the right, and for moving said link to the left as the carriage is moved to the left. To this end, there is xed to the leg connecting portion 2| of the frame I4, a central bracket extending downwardly below the link 60, and pivoted to the lower end of the bracket, as at 1|, is an upwardly extending handle 12, the upper end whereof is-oiT- set away from the frame I4, so that the handle may be grasped without contacting the frame. The handle 12 is interconnected to the link 60 above the pivotal connection 1| by a vertical pivot pin 13.

The bracket 10 has a slot 10a through which the handle 12 projects, and is provided with stop edges 10b and 10c at the ends of the slot, located on opposite sides of the pivot pin 1I, serving to limit oscillation of the handle 12 in opposite directions.

It will now be understood that when the handle 12 is moved to the right, the link 60 will be moved to the right. When said handle is moved to the left, the link 60 will be moved to the left. When the operator desires to move the carriage to the right, he merely grasps the handle and pushes to the right, until stop edge 10c is contacted, causing the link 60 to be moved to the right for tilting the wheels 39. Continued pressure on the handle will cause the carriage to move, but because of the tilt of the wheels, the carriage will not roll 01T the table. At the end of the movement of the carriage in one direction, the operator merely presses the handle to the left until stop edge 10b is contacted, and continues pushing, for moving the link 60 to the left, for tilting the wheels 39 in an opposite direction, and moving the carriage to the left.

Means is provided to prevent the roll I2 from unwinding, except when the carriage is being moved by the handle either to the right or to the left. To this end there is fixed to the frame I4, a bracket |00 formed with a vertical opening IOI. The interconnecting portion 2| of the frame is furthermore formed with a Vertical opening |02 aligned with the opening I0 I Slidably mounted within the openings IOI and |02 is a vertical rod |03. Fixed to the rod |03 is a member |04 interconnected to the frame portion 2| by a coil tension spring |05. The spring |05 normally serves to pull the rod |03 downwardly. At the upper end of rod |03 is an offset portion |06, supporting a brake shoe |01, adapted to press against the underside of the wheel 24 when the rod |03 is raised.

Means is provided to raise the rod |03 for applying the brake to the wheel 24, when the handle 12 is in central or vertical position, that is,

positely curved, so that when the handle is moved towards central position, it will engage the une, derside of member |08 to raise rod |03 for applying the brake |01 to the wheel 24. The pin II serves to retain the handle in central position unless the handle is pushed to the right or to the left. Thus, unless the handle is moved one way or the other, the brake is applied to the wheel, so that the bolt will not accidentally unwind.

Means isr further provided to prevent the car. riage from being moved unless the handle is pushed to the right or the left, whereby the carriage cannot be moved without tilting wheels 39 in the proper direction tov prevent the carriage from rolling off the table. To this end, the pivot pin 1|l is provided with a rearwardly extending lug IIZ, to which is pivoted a bell crank lever II3. The upper end of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected, as at I I4, to the lower end of rod |03. On the bell crank ever is a socket ||5 supporting a brake IIG of soft rubber 'or any other suitable material, adapted 'to contact the upper surface of the table I0, when the handle 12 is centrally located, andthe rod |03 is raised. When the handle is in its central position, the carriage cannot be moved because ofthe engagement of the brake IIB with the table. However, when the handle is moved to the right or the left, the brake is instantly released by spring v|05 to permit movement of the carriage.

It has been found that as cloth is laid from a reciprocating carriage, the inclined portion |2a of the cloth extending from the roll I2, down to the laid layers I3, usually traps air which pre. vents the cloth from being laid smoothly. Means` is therefore provided to obviate this difficulty. To this end, there is fixed to each tubular member 96, al radially extending member |20, inclined downwardly and toward the other tubular member. Each member is formed with a groove, |2| at its outer end.

Fixed to the inner end of each tube 96, as at |22, is a member |23 made of sheet material, curved longitudinally and fitting within the groove I2 I. Said member |23 may also be curved transversely. Fixed tothe inner end of each tube 80 is a member |25, overlapping and contacting the member |23, and likewise received within said groove I2I. Member |25 may be provided with inturned lugs |25, slidably engaging the opposite edges of member |23.

It will be noted that the members |23 and |25 form an inwardly curved support, adapted to be contacted by the cloth I 2a, so as to belly the portion |2a of the cloth at the middle, whereby to facilitate expelling of the air as the cloth is laid, so that the cloth may be laid smoothly.

It will now be understood that as the carriage is moved to the right, the portion I2a of the cloth will contact the curved support on one side, and as the carriage moves in an opposite direction, said portion of the cloth will contact the curved support on the' opposite side. As the distance between the frames Ill and I5 isA adjusted,

the members |23 and |25 will move slidably, one y with reSPeQt. w the. @ther-.-

l@Means is provided to insure substantially 'perfect registry of the layers I3 of cloth laid on the table |0. To this end, there is placed on the table at suitable intervals of about a foot or two, a cloth guide 130. Each 4guidecomprises a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed angle shaped members |3|. Each member |3| comprises a horizontal inwardly extending portion |32 and a vertical upwardly extending portion 133.- Said portions |32 and 133 are transversely curved, as shown in the drawings. Attached to the underside ofthe horizontal portion |32 of one member |3| is a flattened tube |34, and attached to the underside of the horizontal portion of the other member |3|, is a member |35 telescoping within said tube. With this construction the distance between the members |31 may be adjusted depending upon the width rof the cloth. By aligning the guides |30 and adjusting said guides to the proper length, the layers I3 will be laid in substantially perfect registry.

It will be noted that the upper ends of portions |33 are curved upwardly and outwardly, so as to facilitate laying of the cloth.

As shown in Fig. 10, the guide means may comprise pairs of similar, symmetrical, unconnected members |40, placed in alignment on the table, at suitable distances, to guide the laid layers of cloth. The members |40 are of angle shape, comprising walls |41 and |42 disposed at right angles to each other. The Wall |42 may be longer than the wall 14|. Said walls 14|, |42 are curved transversely, and the outer ends thereof are likewise curved, sothat the outer edges ofthe Walls iii) ' |41, |42 are in planes at right angles to one another.

At the beginning of the cloth laying operation, the longer wall 142 is in horizontal position, but when the layers pile up, the member |40 may be withdrawn and turned around so that the shorter Walls |41 are in horizontal position beneath the pile, and the longer walls |42 extend upwardly. By transversely curving the walls 14|, |42, greater strength is'obtained, and the layers are better guided during the cloth laying operation.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet-the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings l is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Cloth laying apparatus comprising a carriage adapted to reciprocate on an elongated table, comprising a pair of vertical parallel frames, means interconnecting said frames, means on one of said frames to engage one longitudinal edge of the table, a shaft on said frame swingable about a vertical axis, and a wheel on said nectsaid frames, wheels on one of the frames adapted to contact the top of a table, a roller on the other of said frames adaptedv to contact a longitudinal edge of said table, a shaft pivoted to said last mentioned frame about a vertical axis, and a wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft and contacting the top of the table adjacent said edge, said shaft being swingable about its vertical axis to opposite sides of a plane through said axis and perpendicular to said edge of said table.

4. In combination with a table having longitudinal edges, a carriage mounted thereon for reciprocation, and comprising a pair of parallel adjustably connected frames,'.means on one of said frames to contact one longitudinal edge only of` said table, said other frame being independent of and movable relative to the other edge of the table as the distance between said frames is adjusted, and meansv operable by movement of the carriage longitudinally of the table and without pressure on the carriage transversely to the table, to cause the means contacting the edge of the table to press against said edge as said carriage is reciprocated on said table to prevent the carriage from running off the table.

5.v In a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on av cloth laying table, means on the carriage to support a roll of cloth adapted to be unwound as the carriage is reciprocated on the table, to lay the cloth on the table in layers, a member mounted on said carriage for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a wheel rotatably mounted on said member and disposed in a vertical plane and adapted to contact the top of said table, means on said carriage to engage a longitudinal edge of the table, said member being swingable about its vertical axis to opposite sides of a plane passing through said vertical axis, and perpendicular to said longitudinal edge, as said carriage is reciprocated on said table.

6. InV combination with a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a cloth laying table, means on the carriage to support a roll of cloth adapted to be unwound as the carriage is reciprocated on the table, to lay the cloth on the table in layers,y a member mounted on said carriage for pivotal movementA about a vertical axis, a Wheel rotatably mounted on said member and disposed in a vertical plane and adapted to contact the top of said table. means on said carriage to engage one longitudinal edge only of the table, said carriage being independent of the other longitudinal edge of the table, said member being swingable about its vertical axis to opposite sides of a plane passing through said vertical axis, and perpendicular to said longitudinal edge, as said carriage is reciprocated on said table.

'7. In a machine of they character described, a carriage comprising a pair of parallel vertical interconnected frames, a pair of parallel, similar members pivoted about vertical axes o n one of said frames, a linkpivoted to `said members, Wheels disposed in vertical planes, rotatably mounted on said members, and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on said frame about vertical axes adapted to Contact onevertical edge of said table. f

A8. In a machine ofr the character described, a carriage comprising a pair of parallel Vvertical frames, means interconnectingsaid frames, a pair of parallel, similar members pivoted'about vertical axesv on one of said frames, a link pivoted to said members, wheels disposed in vertical planes, rotatably mounted on said members,

a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on said frame about vertical axes adapted to contact one vertical edge of said table, a shaft for supporting a roll of cloth, wheels rotatably mounted on said frames, said shaft being supported on said wheels, and means to apply a brake to one of said wheels.

9. In a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapt- -ed to' be reciprocated on a table, a rotatable shaft on said carriage, adapted to support a roll of cloth to be laid on said table, means on said carriage adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of said table, means on said carriage to press said last means against said edge of said table as the carriage is reciprocated, whereby to prevent the carriage from rolling ofi` the table, and means controlled by said pressing means to retain said shaft against rotation.

10. In a cloth laying machine of the character described, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a cutting table comprising a pair of parallel vertical frames, means interconnecting said frames, a pair of parallel, similar members pivoted about vertical axes on one of said frames, a link pivoted to said members, wheels disposed in vertical planes, rotatably mounted on said members, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on said frame about vertical axes adapted to contact one vertical edge of said table, a shaft for supporting a roll of cloth, wheels rotatably mounted on said frames, said shaft'being supported on said wheels, means to apply a brake to one of said last mentioned Wheels, and means to retain the carriage against movement on the table.

11. In a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a table, a rotatable shaft on said carriage, adapted to support a roll of cloth to be laid on said table, means on said carriage adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of said table, means on said carriage to press said last means against said edge of said table as the carriage is r-eciprocated, whereby to prevent the carriage from rolling 01T the table, means controlled by said pressing means to retain said shaft against rotation, and means controlled by said pressing means to retain the oarriage against movement on the table.

12. In a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a table, means on the carriage to support a bolt or roll of cloth to be laid on the table in layers as said carriage is reciprocated thereon, and bowed means to engage a portion of the cloth between the roll or bolt and the top-most layer laid on the table, to press the longitudinal mid-portion thereof toward the table to facilitate laying of the cloth smoothly on the table.

13. In a cloth laying machine, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a table, means on said carriage to support a bolt or roll of cloth to be laid on the table, said carriage comprising a pair of parallel vertical frames, a transverse member interconnecting said frames, and a longitudinally curved member supported by the first member, and adapted to contact the central portion of the cloth as it is unwound from the bolt or roll of cloth on the carriage.

14. In a cloth laying machine, a carriage` adapted to be reciprocated on a table, means on the carriage to support a roll or bolt of cloth adapted to be laid on the table as the carriage is reciprocated thereon, and means on the table to guide the layers of cloth laid on the table,

said means having a horizontal wall, and a vertical wall ext-ending upwardly from the horizontal wall. f

15. A carriage adapted to be moved back and forth on a trackless table, means on said carriage adapted to contact one edge only of said table and being independ-ent of the other edge of the table, and rotary means on the carriage, adaptedto contact a horizontal surface of the table, means to shift said rotary means about a Vertical axis to press said first means in engagement with said edge of said table.

16. A carriage adapted to be freely rolled back and forth on a trackless table, means on said carriage adapted to contact an edge of said table, and means on the carriage adapted to contact a horizontal surface of the table, for keeping said first means in engagement with said edge of said table, said last means comprising a shaft hinged to said carriage about a vertical axis, and a wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft and contacting said horizontal surface of said table.

17. A carriage adapted to be freely rolled back and forth on a trackless table, means on said carriage adapted to contact an edge of said table, means on the carriage adapted to contact a horizontal surface of the table, for keeping said first means in engagement with said edge of said table, said-last means comprising a shaft hinged to said carriage about a vertical axis, a wheel rotatably mounted on said shaft and contacting said horizontal surface of said table, and means on said carriage to swing said shaft about its vertical axis.

18. `.A carriage adapted to be rolled back and forth on a trackless table, means on said car-- riage to support a bolt of cloth to be laid on the table, means to prevent the carriage from rolling' off the table, comprising a member rotatably mounted on the carriage on an axis other than at right angles to the edge of the table, and adapted to engage a horizontal surface of the table, and means on the carriage engaging one edge of the table.

19. In a cloth laying'machine of the character described, a carriage adapted to be reciprocated on a cutting table, comprising a pair of parallel, vertical frames, means to interconnect said frames, a pair of parallel shafts pivoted about vertical axes on one of said frames, a link interconnecting said shafts, wheels rotatably mounted on said shafts, rollers rotatably mounted on said frame about vertical axes, a shaft for supporting a roll of cloth, wheels rotatably mounted on said frames, said shaft being supported on said wheels, a brake for one of the last mentioned wheels, and means controlled by said link toapply the brake to one of said last mentioned wheels.

20. A carriage adapted to be moved back and forth on a trackless table, means on said carriage adapted to contact one edge only of said table, said carriage being independent of the other edge of the table, and means on the carriage, operable by movement of the carriage longitudinally of the table in opposite directions and without external pressure on the carriage transversely of the table, to cause the edge contacting means to press against said edge to prevent the carriage from running off the table as the carriage is reciprocated on said table.

MAXIMILIAN BRETH. 

